New Chassis/Scratch Build Recommendations

Archer

Archer

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Almost time to pull the trigger, but before I do - final checks!

Been looking for a new chassis for some time now and havent been able to find anything that quite fits what I'm looking for. Hence, I'll build it myself! But before I do, if there is anything similar out there that I've missed I'd much rather buy something ready made and save myself a whole lot of effort. Budget cant go over R3500 cause thats what the scratch build will cost (fabrication, fans, controllers, USB3, paint, switches, lights, etc... basically everything incl).

What I need (non negotiable points):
  • Min 2 HDD (1 SSD + 1 HDD is all you need right :p)
  • Min 3 5.25 bays (DVD, fan controller, spare)
  • Bottom mounted PSU
  • ATX motherboard compatible (next build will be for micro ATX :D)
  • Space for 120.4 radiator (can be two smaller rads, just need the equivalent surface area)
  • Dust filters on all intakes (PSU incl) that are easily removed, and hidden when in use
  • Quiet fans (so likely any bought case will need its fans replaced)
  • Good for water cooling as well as air cooling
  • All water cooling parts to be fit internally
What I want (negotiable points):
  • Inverted ATX (PCI slots above the CPU), window on right side of case
  • Space for 140.3 radiator
  • Minimal cutting if its a bought case
  • Mid size tower, scratch build is 200(w)x460(h)x560(d)
  • Front USB3 ports
  • HDD silencing

edit: and if anyone has a old chassis lying around out of which I can cut out the rear panel that would be awesome! Need this part of it
2nd edit: apologies if I shoot a lot of ideas down, just trying to make sure I havent missed something. Not easy to part with R3500!!
 
Last edited:
Hmm? 2x 200mm intakes and a 120mm exhaust not doing it for you?
 
dotVIBE said:
Hmm? 2x 200mm intakes and a 120mm exhaust not doing it for you?
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Not enough space for the amount of radiators required from what I can see. Would have to remove both HDD cages for the front 120.2 rad leaving you with zero HDD space, as well as mount the top 120.2 radiator outside of the case (CM themselves recommend this) which is not ideal. Then you need to find place for a reservoir which will likely have to be a bay reservoir (thats 2 bays gone). Considering that the front rad may eat up the bottom 5.25 bay that leaves me with only one bay in which a DVD + fan controller must fit into.
 
Are you preparing for an upcoming Bulldozer build by the way?

I have an old chassis at home, I will check if that thingy you need is there :)
 
doobyscoo said:
Silverstone Raven RV02?
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If I remember correctly installing a rad at the bottom restricts max GPU length to 10.5" (roughly HD6950 length) using a 30mm (thin) radiator. And thin radiators need to have more fins per inch, meaning you need louder fans to get the same cooling out of them. But it was one of the cases I kept looking at, will keep it in mind in these final stages :)

Ono'rach said:
Are you preparing for an upcoming Bulldozer build by the way?
Click to expand...
Yip :D Hoping to get parts around June/July, will choose between Bulldozer and Sandy Bridge, see who comes out on top
I have an old chassis at home, I will check if that thingy you need is there :)
Click to expand...
WOOT :D You hiding in CT somewhere?
 
Messugga said:
Here is some inspiration for your custom build. ;)
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Think Febs winner was based on a TJ07 right? Its an AWESOME water cooling case, not so hot for plain old air though. Dont have access to many things at work so cant check :( Anyway, thanks for the link but I've already done my design, took 3 freakin months! Kept changing my mind :p But managed to get it half the size (in terms of volume) of the first design, so I think I did well.

If you want some real awesome case ideas go have a look at the Phobya case design contest on Bit-Tech. Really expensive to make though if you dont have (free) access to the right machinery :(
 
Archer said:
Think Febs winner was based on a TJ07 right? Its an AWESOME water cooling case, not so hot for plain old air though. Dont have access to many things at work so cant check :( Anyway, thanks for the link but I've already done my design, took 3 freakin months! Kept changing my mind :p But managed to get it half the size (in terms of volume) of the first design, so I think I did well.

If you want some real awesome case ideas go have a look at the Phobya case design contest on Bit-Tech. Really expensive to make though if you dont have (free) access to the right machinery :(
Click to expand...

This one's completely scratch built as well. The guy has around EUR4k worth of gear in there, so it's pretty high performance. VERY neatly done though and definitely worth looking at.
The bit-tech builds are generally of very high standard. Haven't visited the site in a while.
 
Archer said:
edit: and if anyone has a old chassis lying around out of which I can cut out the rear panel that would be awesome! Need this part of it
2nd edit: apologies if I shoot a lot of ideas down, just trying to make sure I havent missed something. Not easy to part with R3500!!
Click to expand...

If you dont come right I can probably cut that out of 2mm alu for you if you can give me exact measurements....
I can do everything except the bending, but it will be easier to post flat anyway, you would just need to find someone in CT with a bending break to bend it for you.
 
Altho Archer has decided to build his own chassis, just wanted to ask have you considered CM's HAF932? It is a bit of a monster case but enough room for everything you want to do in there and more. It also supports E-ATX for larger mobo's and gfx cards.
 
Ono'rach said:
Are you preparing for an upcoming Bulldozer build by the way?

I have an old chassis at home, I will check if that thingy you need is there :)
Click to expand...

Hey Archer, I checked my old chassis at home, I don't think that it has that thingymabob. Not that I can see anyway :(

Sorry!
 
Every chassis has that! Unless it is from the pre PCI era :p No prob, thanks for checking
 
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